First Baptist Church of Valentine offers a program to help believers:

  • Explore, understand, and incorporate spiritual disciplines into daily life
  • Discover and use spiritual gifts for the edification of the church and the advancement of the gospel

Spiritual Disciplines

Spiritual disciplines are intentional practices that help believers grow in godliness, deepen communion with God, and become more like Christ (1 Timothy 4:7–8). They are means of grace, empowered by the Holy Spirit, not meritorious works.

1. Inward (Personal) Disciplines

Focus on your inner spiritual life:

  • Bible Intake: Reading, studying, meditating, memorizing Scripture
  • Prayer: Adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication
  • Fasting: Abstaining from food or other items for spiritual focus
  • Meditation: Reflecting on God’s Word and character
  • Examination/Confession: Self-evaluation before God (Psalm 139:23–24)
  • Sabbath: Establishing a rhythm of work and rest

2. Outward (Practical) Disciplines

Express your devotion through tangible actions:

  • Simplicity: Living according to eternal priorities
  • Stewardship/Giving: Generosity with resources
  • Service: Meeting practical needs humbly
  • Evangelism: Proclaiming the gospel
  • Submission: Biblical accountability under authority

3. Corporate (Community) Disciplines

Require the gathered body of believers:

  • Worship
  • Fellowship
  • Corporate Prayer
  • Lord’s Supper / Communion
  • Baptism
  • Church Discipline (restorative accountability)

From a Baptist perspective:

  • Disciplines are means of grace, not sacraments that automatically convey grace.
  • They are empowered by the Spirit, rooted in Scripture, centered on Christ, and aimed at progressive sanctification—growing in holiness, love, and obedience.

Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts are abilities given by the Holy Spirit at conversion for building up the church and advancing the gospel. They are not natural talents but grace-gifts.

Primary New Testament lists:

  • Romans 12:6–8
  • 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, 28–30
  • Ephesians 4:11
  • 1 Peter 4:11

1. Speaking Gifts

Communicate God’s truth:

  • Prophecy: Proclaim God’s truth
  • Teaching: Explain and apply Scripture accurately
  • Exhortation (Encouragement): Urge obedience
  • Evangelism: Proclaim the gospel effectively
  • Shepherd: Lead and care for believers
  • Word of Wisdom: Apply biblical truth in complex situations
  • Word of Knowledge: Insight into doctrinal or situational truth

2. Serving Gifts

Practical ministry in action:

  • Service (Helps): Meet practical needs
  • Giving: Generous stewardship
  • Leadership: Guide and organize
  • Mercy: Show compassion to the suffering
  • Faith: Trust God’s promises
  • Discernment: Recognize truth from error

3. Organizational Gifts

Support and structure for ministry:

  • Administration
  • Hospitality

Theological Considerations

  • Cessationist View: Some gifts (apostleship, tongues, prophecy) ceased with the apostolic age.
  • Continuationist View: All gifts continue, but remain subordinate to Scripture.
  • Universally affirmed:
    • Gifts are sovereignly distributed by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11)
    • Every believer has at least one gift
    • Gifts are for edification, not personal display
    • Love governs all gifts (1 Corinthians 13)

Summary: Spiritual gifts are divine capacities given for ministry, not for self-promotion. They serve the body of Christ and advance God’s kingdom.